Agenda 11/09/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Martinsville City Council Agenda Summary Agenda Item Number 'l'lT Department: Community Development Date: 11-9-04 Agenda Item: Discussion of proposed tree ordinance Sttmlnary: The idea of a Tree Ordinance dates back to 1995 when a draft was prepared by the Gateway Stree~cape Foundal~on. It was later reintroduced in 2003 by Lois Christensen, Executive Director of Gateway. The Planning Commission held its first public hearing concerning this ordinance on April 17, 2003. The final recommendation for approval to City Council was received on May 22, 2003. The overall intent of the recommended ordinance is to conserve and protect trees, plants and shrubs located within the street rights - of - way, parks and public places of the City. Trees, plants and shrubs on private property shall be covered under the City's Property Maintenance Code. The Electric Department offers the following observations: Debris falling from trees cause up to 50% of electrical outages. Current contractor states no cost difference be~veen "V'ing a tree and topping. Unable to find data correlating electrical outages with "V"ing verse topping. No data of cost differences in out years between "V"ing verse topping. "v"ing could increase out year tree trimming cost or increase number of outages. Future option is to develop a tree replacement program. Estimated cost to remove and replace one tree is $624. Goal would be to replace large problem trees with trees that would not interfere with Electrical lines. Ornamental and flowering trees, a list of which can be found in the City's Landscaping Ordinance, would be suitable replacements (Redbud, Crab Apple, Callery Pear, Plum and Dogwood etc.) Recommend adding the following phrase at the end of the last sentence in section XI - 'as determined by the Chief of Electric Operations, Manager of Business and Technical Services or the Director of Financial and General Services." Recommended Council Action: Place on next agenda. ATTACHMENTS: Role Call Aye Nay __ Memo Council Minutes Mayor & Vice Mayor __ Staff Report Existing Ordinance M S__ Cobbe __ Correspondence X Proposed Ordinance M S__. Reynolds __ Bid Tabulation Attomey's Report __ P/C Recommendation Petition Council Members P/C Minutes Contract M S__ Roop Application Budget Amendment M S__ Ferrill Citizen Legal Notice M S__Clark Consultant Report X Other-Planning Commission Itr.